Last Week the rapper Mos Def, also known as Yasiin Bey may have closed the chapter on his South African adventure.
Mos Def was forced to leave the country after a run in with South Africa’s immigration officials.
In January this year, Mos Def – who had been living in Cape Town for an extended period – tried to leave the country using what is known as a “World Passport”.
While the document is recognised in some countries, it is not considered an official document by the South African government.
He was then detained in South Africa pending a court case, which had been postponed several times.
At the time, Mos Def released a short freestyle titled “No More Parties in SA”, taken from Kanye Wests’ “No More Parties in LA”.
After the case was postponed several times, Mos Def, through his lawyers, finally conceded to using an unrecognised travel document and unreservedly apologised.
While his apology was accepted, he was forced to leave the country within 24 hours.
Mos Def has been labelled an undesireable person by the SA government.
While he can appeal this, it is unclear if he will do so.
Bey’s colleague, friend, fellow artists and music producer, Ferrari Sheppard posted: “And we out”, on his Instagram, as they left Cape Town airport.
It marks the end of an incredible journey for Mos Def in South Africa.
While in the country he was seized with being the creative director of a clothing brand called Unknown Union. At this stage no announcement has been about how this relationship will proceed going forward.
He had also begun to feature on a radio show for the online streaming platform – TheEyeTV.
It is also unclear if he will be continuing with that venture.
Despite leaving the country, Mos Def maintains he will be retiring from the music and acting scene in the year to come.
He has released a number of songs with Ferrari Sheppard, such as Dec. 99th. Among those is a track called “Hymn,” which is out on Tidal. In addition, he appeared on a Tribe Called Red’s “R.E.D.” (from We Are the Halluci Nation), and performed live with BADBADNOTGOOD when the band was in Cape Town.
Mos Def recently said he had made a few commitments for one or two films, which may be his last.
Whatever he does, we know it will be fantastic and wish him all the best.